After an X-ray scan of the package revealed wiring and othercomponents that drew suspicions, a police bomb disposal teamsent a robot into the Pocatello courthouse to remove the parcel,then detonated it.

The item turned out to be completely harmless, consistingmerely of a glossy, popular magazine containing an electronicmusical insert, federal and local law enforcement officialssaid.

Darrin Lambert, supervisor of the U.S. Marshals Service inPocatello, said the item was similar to devices found in musicalbirthday cards, with wires and other parts that securityscreeners had not encountered before in a mailing.

He said his agency's strict protocol for such circumstancesrequired an evacuation of the building and immediate vicinityout of "an abundance of caution."

"It's our job to safeguard and ensure the well-being of allpersonnel," he told Reuters.

Nearly 40 employees were ordered out of the courthouse inthe business district of Pocatello, a city of about 58,000residents that is home to Idaho State University, and aone-block perimeter around the building was cordoned off.

The security alert was lifted about four hours later, oncethe package proved to be harmless. But the courthouse remainedclosed for the day.